Agreements

Wire Unit

Business Representatives:  Bud Allbery

The Wire Unit has seen continual growth since Local 46 received its IBEW charter in 1914. Today, Local 46 has over 3,000 active members and is the third largest wire unit in the 9th District.

Construction in Seattle started to boom with the onset of the 1960 Seattle World's Fair Grounds, now the Seattle Center, which includes the renowned Space Needle. Downtown Seattle grew from one skyscraper in the 60's to over 20 skyscrapers today, including the Columbia Tower at 62 stories.

Other examples of large profile projects built by Local 46 electricians include the Trident Submarine Base in Bangor, the Sea-Tac Airport, the Metro Bus Tunnel, Seattle's Waterfront Cranes and Port Buildings, University of Washington Campus, Boeing Computer Center, Pike Place Market, the Federal Building, Microsoft Campus, the Safeco Field - the Mariners' Baseball Stadium, and the Qwest Field - the Seahawks new Football Stadium.

Large projects have included the $2.6 billion addition to the Seattle-Tacoma Airport, Sound Transit Tunnel Project, Immunex Complex, Seattle Justice Center and the Seattle Library.

Seattle has grown from a small northwest city into a major high-tech, industrial and cultural metropolis. This growth led to a housing construction boom in the early 80's. The housing market is still hot with many thousands of condo units being built in downtown Seattle and suburban areas.

The wireman unit of Local 46 has always been very active in promoting worker safety and public safety on the job and through legislative action. Local 46 was instrumental in helping pass state legislation requiring electrician licensing in 1974. IBEW members serve on the state Electrical Board, the state Apprenticeship Council, and WISHA monitoring committees.

Local 46 maintains strong ties with our neighboring sister IBEW Locals 76 in Tacoma and 191 in Everett. Our Local also participates in the IBEW State Association, a group of Washington Locals which are active on a number of issues.

The Wire Unit wishes to thank our traveling brothers and sisters who are here now or were here in the past to help man the work in our jurisdiction. The quality craftsmanship of IBEW electricians keeps our industry strong and maintains our market share.